Sickle



J. OGDEN.

SICKLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18. I919.

1,379,205, v Patented May 24,1921.

fn venar- 70%7a 0901270 UNITED STATES JOHN OGDEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SICKLE.

Application filed April 18, 1919.

To all 20 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN OGDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the count-y of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sickles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in sickles, and has for its object to so construct such a device that the blade may be adjusted and secured at various angles to the handle for performing different kinds of work, and

A still further object of my invention is to provide for the folding of the handle upon the blade so as to facilitate the storage and transportation of the device.

With these ends in View, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of my improved sickle showing the handle in full lines in one of its operative adjustments and in dotted lines in its folded position.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is an enlarged view of that portion of the handle which is attached to the blade, and

Fig. 4, represents the heel portion of the blade showing the attaching hole and the adjusting holes therein.

in carrying out my invention as here embodied, 1 represents the blade of the sickle which is made in the form of a miniature scythe blade having a strengthening rib 2 along the major portion of its back edge. In the heel of this blade is formed the attaching hole 3 and the series of adjusting holes a arranged concentric with the attaching hole. Y

5 represents the handle shank having the handle 6 secured thereon in any convenient manner, and the inner end of this shank terminates in a locking lug 7 back of which is formed a hole 8 through the shank for the passage f the bolt 9 upon one end of which is threaded the thumb nut 10.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1921.

Serial No. 291,024.

When the device is assembled the bolt 9 passes through the attaching hole 3 in the blade and the hole 8 in the shank so that when the thumb nut 10 is run home these parts will be clamped together, the head 11 of the bolt bearing upon the underside of the blade.

As the lug 7 is adapted to pass through any of the holes 4L the blade may be adjusted relative to the handle by loosening the thumb nut sufiiciently to permit the swinging of the shank to bring the lug in alinement with the desired hole 4: when by tightening the thumb nut the parts will be firmly held in this adjustment. When it is desired to fold the handle upon the blade as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l the thumb nut is loosened sufiiciently to permit the lug 7 to be swung over the heel of the blade and enter the concave recess 12 thus holding the handle in this folded position when the thumb nut is reset as will be readily understood.

The shank 5 is formed upon the lines of a compound curve as shown to give the proper balance to the blade thereon, and in practice this has been found to be of considerable importance in producing the proper results in action.

It has been found in practice that it is essential to set the blade of a tool of this character at various angles for various kinds of work being done the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 being the position best adapted for cutting grass and the like, but when the heavy weeds, stalks, or hedges are to be cut it is preferable to set the blade at the limit of its adjustment so that it is sub stantially in alinement with the handle thereof when the tool may be used with eifectiveness after the manner of a machete.

When it is desired to ship the tool or conveniently store the same the handle is folded on to the blade as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 when it occupies but small space and the blade is protected against injury.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein described as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my inven tion, what I claim as new and useful is 2- 1. A tool comprising a blade having .L concave recess at the heel thereof, a shank adjustably attached to said blade in the region of said heel, and a lug carried by the shank and adapted to enter the concave recess when the blade is in a closed position. 2. A tool consisting of a shank, a handle on one end thereof, a lug on the outer end said shank having a hole therethrough interinediatev the handle andlug and spaced from the latter, a blade having an attaching hole and adjusting holes concentric therewith and located between said attaching hole and the outer end or toe of the blade, any one of said adjusting holes adapted to register with the lug when the blade is open and further provided with a concave recess 'at the heel thereof adapted to receive said lug when the blade is folded and a thumb screw passing through the attaching hole in the blade and the hole in the shank and having a nut thereon whereby the blade may be held in any 01": its adjusted positions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

JOHN OGDEN. 

